COLUMBUS - Soon whenever a person drives through Kirkersville, there will be a permanent reminder of former Kirkersville Police Chief Steven Eric DiSario.

The portion of U.S. 40 that runs through Kirkersville has officially been named "Steven Eric DiSario Memorial Highway."

Governor John Kasich recently signed House Bill 347, which included the honorary naming.

The honorary naming was introduced by State Sen. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, because he said he didn't want anyone to forget the late chief.

DiSario's death and legacy

DiSario was shot and killed May 12, 2017, in the line of duty responding to a call of a man with a gun in the area of the Pine Kirk Nursing Home. He had been the Chief of the Kirkersville Police Department for about three weeks at the time of his death.

"We tend to be forgetful people and as a result of that we need to have reminders and visual reminders sometimes are the best form," Hottinger said.

Now anytime a person drives through the village, Hottinger said, they can remember the sacrifice DiSario made.

'Important we remember and recognize the sacrifice'

Hottinger said the memorial highway designation was important to DiSario's wife, Aryn, so people will continue to remember her husband's actions.

"These are one of those things where it's a day you wish never would have happened, but the fact that it did, it's important that we remember and we recognize the sacrifice of a chief that went into harm's way," he said.

Because the bill was signed last week, Hottinger said he was not sure when the memorial signs will be ready for installation. He said there will be a public dedication once the sign has been made.

First steps in the naming process

The first step is working with the Ohio Department of Transportation and Kirkersville Mayor Terry Ashcraft, Hottinger said.

"Once the sign gets made and once I have a conversation with the mayor, we'll try to determine when there will be a public unveiling that I know the family will want to attend," Hottinger said.